Obituary of Jacob Searles

View the image gallery -- View a Video -- Celebrating The Life Of Jacob John Searles Jacob John Searles, age 46, of Rhinelander, WI passed away peacefully early Friday, September 27, 2013 at St. Joseph?s Hospital in Marshfield of a stroke, surrounded by his family. Memorial services will be at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, October 2, 2013 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Edwards. Rev. Daniel Bohn will officiate. Visitation will be from 9:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday at the church. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Wisconsin Rapids, is assisting the family. Jacob was born November 2nd 1966. He arrived at the Searles home December 12th, 1967 ? the greatest Christmas gift ever ? and was welcomed by so many people. He was adopted at the age of five, the eldest of three brothers. He was adored by his younger siblings and was a constant source of entertainment for them. He loved cranberry work from an early age - the noise, the machinery, and driving anything he was allowed. He also developed a love of hunting and trapping that he carried with him throughout his life. Jay was on the YMCA swim team and was also an accomplished skier. During his four years of high school football he excelled on the field in addition to his other passion of amusing his teammates. After graduation from John Edwards High School in 1985, he attended and later graduated from the University Of Minnesota/Waseca with a degree in Mechanized Agriculture. During this time he spent two summers in Nantucket, MA learning more about the cranberry trade. Jacob spent most of his life on cranberry marshes. He helped his Dad start the C-J Searles Cranberry marsh but left to spend a couple of years in the mill. Jacob?s passion for cranberries never ended and he managed several divisions for Northland Cranberries as well as James Lake Farms in Three Lakes. His marriage to Josie Henke Searles ended in divorce but also gave him his darling Savannah. He was a great Dad and loved the role. He married Sharon Nelson Searles and adopted her daughter Stephanie and they also had a son, Jacob. After the divorce, all three of his children lived with him much of the time and became his favorite job and greatest joy. In 2003 he married Ruth Picl Searles and she became his partner in all their endeavors. Jacob is survived by his parents, Clare and Charlotte, his wife Ruth, his children, Savannah (Devin) of Three Lakes, Stephanie, Mauston, and Jacob, Necedah, his brother, Corey (Kate), nieces Maggie and Gillian and brother, Steve (Britt). Also, stepchildren Andrea (Dan) Prendota, and Zach (Serena) Kundinger and seven stepgrandchildren. He is also survived by his birth sister, Sarah (Richard) Rasmussen Skiba of CA, and his nieces and nephews, Anna, Mary, Adam, and Ricky. He was preceded in death by his grandparents who adored him, Russell and Bertha Pierce and Clarence and Katherine Searles. Also, favorite Uncles, Bill Pierce and Wilton Burgeson and an infant sister, Amy Michelle. Jacob was in all ways a generous and compassionate person. His time with us was too short and he will be greatly missed. Memorials may be designated to the American Diabetes Association or the International Bipolar Foundation.